Eilers 6: Christmas: Part 1

I am copying my friend Allison and splitting up my blog posts.

The past two years we have had Christmas in Dallas, so this year, we hosted Christmas with my side of the family at our house. Well, technically, last year at this time, I was on hospital bed rest for a week, luckily was discharged right before Christmas to strict bed rest at home.

My sister and her husband came early on Thursday, which was a nice surprise. We had reservations at The Lodge restaurant at 615. I have always wanted to eat at The Lodge and recently found out that it is closing at the end of this year. I tease Brent that I have been trying to get him to take me there for the past 6 years. Ha! It may be true. So, he booked a reservation for us due to the fact that it is closing, and my sister and her husband were going to be here at that time, so they joined us. It was such a great night. The food was SO GOOD! The company was even better! We had another surprise during dinner. My mom ended up coming Thursday evening, also, instead of her original plan of Friday morning. So, she showed up just in time at The Lodge for a bite of dessert and a glass of wine! I have to confess, we had a girl we know, Lauren, who just graduated from ACU and is in town for a little while babysit the kids while we went to dinner. Here is the confession: I think this is the FIRST TIME we have had a sitter come watch the kids and had to PAY since Ezra has been born! NO JOKE! My dad and his wife, or my grandma, will watch the kids here and there if we need them, but this is the first time we have gone to dinner and had to pay a babysitter! We need to work on that!! That is NOT okay! More date nights!!

Anyway, the rest of the family trickled in on Friday by mid-morning. My brother and his family, my grandmother and finally my mom's husband made it that evening. We had a great time of just enjoying each other. We made chicken tortilla soup with cornbread, artichoke dip and a veggie tray. It was so good. My mom's husband wasn't able to come until Friday evening because he wasn't able to get off work that day. So, after all day of asking, "can we open our presents yet??" from ezra, we were finally able to open our gifts after dinner. We had all the kids sit in their own little spot and let them open the presents first. They were truly blessed!!
Ezra got movies, an Aggie jersey, and Aggie pillow pet, his first Mac truck lego kit, games, books, clothes, pj's.
Emersyn got movies, clothes, furniture for her doll house, a zebra pillow pet, books, games.
Elynn got clothes, books, boots, toys.

My family has drawn names for each of us for the past several years. We usually draw the names at Thanksgiving, then are given a "wish" list from everyone. It is a fun way to do Christmas, and more practical! Ron, my mom's husband, had my name and I got my first pair of TOMS! I love them. Hunter, my sister's husband, had Brent. He got a new golf shirt and golf balls.

After trash was picked up, the plates cleaned, coffee made and dessert set out, we drew numbers to begin our annual "chinese christmas" game. I love it. It is so fun. We have this horrible singing wreath that has been passed from person to person for the past several years. My mom originally gave it to my grandfather, who then REGIFTED it in our chinese christmas game! Well, by Christmas, you always forget who has it, so it's like a made house trying to figure out who had it and who wrapped and brought what gifts..to try and NOT get the wreath! Well, one year, Brent decided to REGIFT some cologne he had gotten at our lifegroup gag gift exchange. It too, now, is in our annual chinese christmas and also forgotten by everyone. Makes for good times and much laughter. This year, the wreath was not present, my aunt got it last year when they were here for chirstmas (they live in cali), so we are hoping it will not appear again. She is pretty clever though! The cologne was present and my bil got it! Super funny. I actually made out like a bandit! Good times!

After chinese christmas, we put the kids and parents to bed and us "kids" played catch phrase. It was so fun! Not sure why the boys always win! Next year!!

Saturday morning was breakfast and packing up. Everyone headed their separate ways around 11. It was such a great time.

After everyone was gone, I "cleaned" the house and put the new toys where they needed to go while the kids napped. I had about 45 minutes to lay on the couch before we had to start getting ready for church. We headed to church for the 4'o clock service. It was a great service.

After church, we headed to my dad and his wife's house for christmas and dinner. They live in Boerne, so it wasn't a bad trip. We had a good time celebrating with them. We had a nice dinner then opened presents. Ezra got ANOTHER Aggie pillow pet and a bag full of goodies.He was super pumped! Emersyn got some dress-up stuff and a pop-up princess castle. Elynn got a new outfit and books. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, ate cake and headed home.

It was a great couple of days!